Variable light intensity flashlight



Oct. 22, 1957 E. F. HAUSER VARIABLE LIGHT mmnsmz FLASHLIGHT Filed May 7, 1956 n m m m Ililill VARIABLE LIGHT INTENSITY FLASHLIGHT Edward F. Hauser, Altoona, Pa.

Application May 7, 1956, Serial No. 583,101

1 Claim. (Cl. 24o-10.66)

This invention relates to ashlights and more particularly to a variable light intensity flashlight and control means therefor.

The need for a flashlight whose intensity could be varied with conditions has long been recognized. For example ilashlights used in signaling, e. g. railway torches, were recognized as lacking in desirable intensity variabilty. No simple, satisfactory solution to this problem has been available.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive variable light intensity flashlight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for converting a conventional flashlight to a variable intensity flashlight.

A further object of this invention is to provide a plurality of simple, inexpensive wafer like means whereby the light intensity of a conventional flashlight may be varied by simply compressing or expanding said wafer like means.

Other objects, advantages and purposes of this invention will be apparent from a further consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a section through a wafer means for varying the light intensity of a flashlight.

Figure 2 is a partial top plan view of the wafer means of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a flashlight, partially broken away.

Figure 4 is a segmental section of a second embodiment of this invention.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a llashlight casing of conventional form having a lens 11, switch 12 and cap 13. Batteries 14 of conventional type are inserted in the casing 10 in the usual manner. The foregoing structure is typical of conventional flashlights.

An adapter having an outer resilient sponge rubber ring is inserted between the casing of the bottom bat* tery 14 and the cap 13 in the position usually occupied by the contactor spring. The rubber spacer ring 15 is provided with a central axial bore 16 carrying an intensity controller having an axially compressible non-conductive cylinder 17. At each end of the cylinder 17 there is provided conductive metal cap ends 18 and 19. One cap end 18 is preferably formed with an internally dished central portion 18, The opposite end cap 19 is prefer- "ice ably formed with an externally dished central portion 19a. Both end caps are provided with ilanges 18b and 19lo respectively, which fit over the ends over the cylinder 17 to close it. Within the cylinder 17 there are provided a multiplicity of thin iiat discs of carbon 20 i. e, graphite discs, in contact with one another. A spring 21 in contact with one end cap of the cylinder 17 exerts force on the carbon discs 20 to maintain them in position. The intensity controller and surrounding adapter is inserted within the casing 10 of the flashlight between the end cap 13 and battery 14. When the end cap 13 is screwed tighter onto the casing 10, the carbon discs 20 are pressed more tightly together resulting in a greater intensity in the light produced by the flashlight. The cylinder 17 is preferably of a compressible plastic so that it can be compressed axially as the end cap 13 is tightened onto housing of the casing 10.

A second embodiment of this invention is shown in Figure 4. This embodiment is designed for ashlights which do not have an adjustable end cap such as that of cap 13 of Figures l through 3. ln the embodiment of Figure 4 there is provided an outer housing 30 of metal adapted to be xed to the outer housing 31 of a flashlight. A wire 32 is connected at one end to a switch (not shown) and at the opposite end to a contact 33 insulated from the housings 3@ and 31 by a cup shaped member 34. The intensity controller of Figures l through 3 is placed on the member 34 with one end cap 18 in contact with the Contact 33. A cap 35 is threadingly engaged on the housing 30 and upon tightening compresses the cylinder 17 and the discs 20 therein more tightly against each other to vary the intensity of light produced by the flashlight in precisely the same manner as the embodiments of Figures i through 3.

While certain preferred embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described it will be understood that this invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A unit for replacing the ground spring in the closure cap of a conventional ashlight whereby the intensity of the light may be varied comprising a hollow non-conducting axially cornpressible member adapted to iit within a closure cap of a flashlight, conductor means closing the ends of said compressible member, a plurality of carbon discs in face to face contact within said compressible member, spring means in contact with one of said conductor means normally urging the carbon discs together and toward the other conductor means and resilient spacer and centering means surrounding the compressible member and adapted to t within and center the compressible member in the closure cap, said resilient spacer and centering means being a sponge rubber ring.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 787,089 Fahrney Apr. 11, 1905 1,264,520 Holmes Apr. 30, 1918 1,543,083 Marshall June 23, 1925 

